“I know that this is an exciting evening, an exciting time to be here because there are so many of your heroes and role models here. I know it’s true for me,” said Michelle who organized the dinner, in part, to encourage mentoring.

“Your job here is to reach back and pull somebody else up. That’s the price of admission tonight. It is never too soon for you all to start mentoring. All of you have younger girls in your lives, whether they’re sisters, or brothers, or cousins. There are younger people in your lives who are looking up to you. You are today a role model. So start figuring out your plan for reaching back.

“None of us are here on our own—someone who told them that they’re special, that they’re talented, that they have a place in this world and a whole lot to offer,” she said.

The dinner followed the first lady’s visit to Ballou High School in Washington, D.C. where she spoke to and answered questions from the students.

“She was talking to us like she knew us. It was an experience—a once in a lifetime experience. Everybody doesn’t get to meet the first lady,” junior Bri-Yanna Perry told The Washington Post.

Several of Michelle’s dinner guests also visited schools throughout the D.C. area on Wednesday.